A pool party, a pageant and performances by singers Brandy and Monica are just some of the fun on tap for Dallas’ Black Pride weekend

Each year, over the first weekend in October, hundreds if not thousands of men and women converge on Dallas for the annual Dallas Black Pride celebration, presented by Dallas Southern Pride, and centered this year around the theme, “Celebrating All Black Lives.”

Dallas Black Pride is known for its wide range of parties, some designed specifically For Him, others intended specifically For Her, and yet others meant to bring everybody together for a good time. And 2016 is no exception, especially since this year’s line up includes a Friday party featuring Grammy Award winner Monica, and a Saturday party featuring hit singer Brandy.

But you don’t have to wait til the weekend to start the party. Everything kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 28, when Rudeboy Dallas presents the Pre-Pride Foam Party at Marty’s Live, 4207 Maple Ave. Those 18 and up are welcome to attend, and admission is free for those 21 and up. You can call the bar at 214-599-2151 for details.

Also on Thursday night, and also at the Crowne Plaza, is the Miss Dallas Southern Pride pageant, starting at 9 p.m., and honoring Unshante DeFoxx. For performers interested in competing, the entry fee is $150. Competition categories include Presentation (with a Colors of the Rainbow theme), Evening Gown (fabric or stones) and Talent (seven minutes time limit).
For information on Miss Dallas Southern Pride, call Brandon at 757-768-5591.

In honor of the Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic on Saturday — the annual football game between the Grambling State University Tigers — whose colors are gold and black — and the Prairie View A&M University Panthers — whose colors are gold and purple — Ya Va Do and A.O. host the Ladies’ Purple and Golds Mix-N-Mingle party Fridahy night, Sept. 30, from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. at Luxx, 723 N. Pearl St. Sheka Booker and Ace provide the music.

While the ladies are mixing and mingling downtown at Luxx, DTX Fridays presents the Purple and Gold State Fair Classic Pre-Party, hosted by award-winning singer Monica, at Pryme, 10333 Technology Blvd. W., just northwest of Love Field, near the intersection of I-35E and Walton Walker Boulevard.

The party starts at 10 p.m. and lasts until the wee hours of Saturday morning.

Football fans can head to Fair Park to watch the battle of the big cats when the Grambling Tigers and the Prairie View Panthers take the field at 4 p.m.

But if you aren’t such a big football fan, you can keep the fun going with the Black Pride Pool Party, presented by Dallas Southern Pride and hosted by hit singer Brandy at the Bungalow Beach Club, 3121 Ross Ave. The party starts at 4 p.m. and goes til 10 p.m.

But the Pride doesn’t stop there. Saturday night, the party moves to House of Blues, 2200 N. Lamar St., for the Octane: The Gay Pride Mega, presented by Street Dallas.

And back at the Crowne Plaza on Saturday night — actually Sunday morning, Oct. 2 — Pioneer Father Larry Ebony presents the 24K Ball III: The Red Edition. That party starts at 2 a.m. and goes til 5 a.m.

You may think that Sunday is the end of the weekend, but there’s still more Black Pride events to come.

From 7-11 p.m., United Black Ellument hosts “Black Love and Unity: Pride 2K16,” a skate party at Southern Skates Roller Rink, 2939 Ledbetter Ave. Tickets are available online at ubedallas.org/bluskate.

And then the weekend winds up with a one-night-only performance by Wanda The Comedian, a celebration of 21 years of entertainment by Wanda, hosted by the cast of The Rose Room at Station 4, 3911 Cedar Springs Road. Doors open at 9 p.m. For more information visit Station4Dallas.com.

Weekend passes to Dallas Southern Pride’s Black Pride events range in price from $20-$100, and are available online atDallasSouthernPride.com.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition September 23, 2016.